Not in that moment—

But the day he decided those two girls would never feel alone again.

After that, things slowly began to change.

The house didn’t feel as heavy.

There was still grief—but also laughter.

Small routines became anchors.

Dinner together.

Homework at the kitchen table.

Movie nights on the couch.

Nothing extraordinary.

But everything real.

Lily and Maya felt safe again.

And James?

Continued on the next page